Cash mobs connect CU staff, members with local businesses

Members of credit unions don’t always realize they’re doing business with a local
financial institution in which they have an ownership stake. But more-and-more
people do realize the importance of supporting locally-owned businesses as a
means of building healthy communities.

Over the
past several months, Mountain Credit Union has provided members with a chance to learn about and support both of these concepts by scheduling a series of
cash mob events at small businesses in western North Carolina. Cash mobs are pre-planned events that connect consumers with local businesses. Simply put, consumers meet at the business, check out the goods and (hopefully) make purchases.

Mountain worked with three local small businesses in the greater Asheville area in 2013,
and they hope to do more in the year ahead. "We target businesses that have an
existing relationship with the credit union,” said Mountain Credit Union Business
Development Director Chris Angel, "so it’s a way for us to give back to them, and
connect staff and members with local businesses they may not be aware of.”

One such
business the credit union targeted was Asheville Home Crafts, which is located in the Grove
Arcade. Asheville Home Crafts sells fiber art produced by artisans within a 100
mile radius of Asheville, and sells locally grown and woven yarns in the
western NC region.

Founded 11
years ago by Judy Quinn and Marie Hendrix, Asheville Home Crafts gives local
artists a place to sell their crafts. Through this time, the local business has
flourished and has provided a prime connecting point for artists and tourists alike.
The owners of the store are long-time members of Mountain Credit Union, and
have their business accounts there as well.

Besides
giving local businesses a boost, these cash mob events have given Mountain
Credit Union a chance to share with staff and members that the credit union is
also a local, cooperatively-owned business. "It’s a win-win,” noted Angel, who envisioned
the events as a means to educate staff and members about the credit union,
while saying thank you to member businesses.